Dan sprang to her side
and placed his hand lightly on her arm. The touch seemed to strengthen
her. With a convulsive effort she gained control of herself, and as
Dan's hand dropped to his side she looked at him with a quivering smile.
"I am going to be brave. I am not going to cry. Captain, tell me, is
my father safe, and my aunt--and the rest?"
"There is not the slightest question about that," replied Dan. "They
got overboard smartly. The lifeboats were steel, well manned and
supplied with provisions for a week. If they weren't picked up last
night by some steamship attracted by the fire, they will be within a
short time." The girl regarded him closely, as though trying to
determine whether he was speaking from conviction or merely to
dissipate her fears. Interpreting her expression, Dan shook his head
impatiently.
"I am sincere, Miss Howland. I have no more doubt of the safety of
your father and the others than I have that I am alive. The sea has
been comparatively smooth, the weather clear. Our situation is the one
to bother about."
"But some steamship will surely see us."
"I hope so, but remember we are on a derelict. Where we are, or where
we are going heaven only knows. Sometimes--there is no sense in trying
to avoid the truth--derelicts go for weeks and even months without
being sighted.
Pages:
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184